NBA Playoffs

[ofred]

Like the NCAA tournaments, this will be an ongoing thread. Easier to take care of wins and losses.

5* Milwaukee -9.5 The Bulls finally had a season in which they didn't tank, and made the playoffs. However, their good start to the season faded badly. In the last two months, maybe more, they had zero wins against the elite NBA teams. Unless you count two wins over the Cavs. None against Milwaukee, Philly, Miami, Boston or the best teams from the west. The Bulls lost Lonzo Ball and Caruso to injury, and there went much of their perimeter defense and ball handling. LaVine has a nagging knee injury, Coby White a toe injury, and they are just plain soft. The Bucks beat them all 4 of their games this season, the last two by a lot. They are rivals and it can get chippy. If somehow Milwaukee doesn't cover this, I'll be on them for Game 2. They will win at least one of them by blowout. Oh,,, and Vucevic has no chance of covering Giannis.

1* Atlanta -4 (-113) The Hawks came on last year in the playoffs. They also played pretty well at the end of the season. Up tempo team vs. a weak Hornets' defense. Hawks have to dominate in the post as Charlotte is thin there.

1* Cleveland +8.5 The Cavs can win this game. So much love for the Nets, as if they will just turn it on now that Irving and Durant are back. I've watched them play in recent weeks. They don't hold up that well for all 48 minutes.

Will have a small play on the Pelicans game tomorrow when a certain line comes out.

 

[ofred]

1* Dallas +2.5 Doncic might or might not play, but I think Dallas wins this anyways. Utah has struggled to play a complete game vs. better teams, and even some lesser ones. Conley looking old, and the D isn't as good as last season. Dallas is a physical team which can translate well to the playoffs, if they don't send Utah to the line too much.

 

[MedicalMaryJ]

Nets have been a terrible 1H team last week or so. For whatever reason...

 

[ofred]

Good start on the Cavs cover.
1.5* NO/ San Antonio - 1Q. under 58 A little more than a 1*. In these one and done play-in games, teams come out a little more deliberate offensively 1st Q. Defenses playing better. Even the T-Wolves played some D last night . The game pace increases 2H. Pelicans are also a decent D, that can use more of the shot clock than the average NBA offense.

 

[robgyes]

Good start on the Cavs cover.
1.5* NO/ San Antonio - 1Q. under 58 A little more than a 1*. In these one and done play-in games, teams come out a little more deliberate offensively 1st Q. Defenses playing better. Even the T-Wolves played some D last night . The game pace increases 2H. Pelicans are also a decent D, that can use more of the shot clock than the average NBA offense.

Nice call.

 

[ofred]

3-0 start.
Now it'll be one and done for the losers of tonight's games. Going to ride these two 1Q under plays. Maybe a side later.

1.3* NO/ LA Clippers- under 53 1Q This has the lower number, but looks to me like the more likely winner. Clips and Pelicans both can turn on the D, and yet can also go cold from outside and struggle to score at times.

1* Atlanta/ Cleveland- under 57.5. Cleveland will want to avoid last game's 1st quarter when the Nets hit 40 and couldn't miss. They are at home so have the benefit of the home crowd. Atlanta's pace is a little bit of a problem, but maybe the Cavs strategize a way to limit Trae Young from penetrating and pushing the ball.

 

[indiana]

Fred......BOL with your plays tonight buddy.......indy

 

[ofred]

1* NO/ LAC- under 217.5 (-113) With Paul George out, there goes the Clips' best scoring threat. They will have to play extra well defensively to make up for George's missing points (34 last game). After George got injured in late December, the Clippers had a number of defensive battles with the better teams in the league.

 

[ofred]

1st quarter in Cleveland game killed by 3 pointers, but 2nd quarter and game went under. Hope someone out there got those.

 

[indiana]

Fred.....was on your Clip Un. buddy, thank you.....indy

 

[lakrfan2000]

1st quarter in Cleveland game killed by 3 pointers, but 2nd quarter and game went under. Hope someone out there got those.

Yup, Cavs we’re hitting those 3s in the first quarter. But, you did a nice job tonight Fred. That Pelicans / Clippers game was fun to watch. Hitting the Pels and the under.
Good job, Fred!

 

[ofred]

5-1 so far. Man, did I get the short end of that Dallas line. I'll add a little more at 5.5.

1.5* Memphis -6 (-118)
1.4* Memphis -3.5 1H We might think of Memphis as just a fast-paced offensive team led by Ja Morant, and yet they have really developed into one of the better defensive teams as the season progressed. I like these Game Ones where a weaker defensive team, like Minnesota, comes off an exciting come from behind home win, and now goes on the road to play a team that got eliminated from the playoffs last season. They lost 4-1 in 2021, and have something to prove.

1* Philly/ Toronto- under 55.5 1Q Beginning of the series. A play that says two team that use the clock offensively, play good defense, start slow. The Raptors have given Embiid trouble, and are overall a tough defensive team. Philly has the home crowd, and post-all star game, they had the 3rd rated D.

 

[indiana]

Fred......BOL with your action buddy.....
on Memphis with you....may add Phil. !st Qtr. as well.....
you and your family have a great Easter....indy

 

[ofred]

Fred......BOL with your action buddy.....
on Memphis with you....may add Phil. !st Qtr. as well.....
you and your family have a great Easter....indy

Thanks for the encouragement Indy, going back a long time. GL to you. Memphis feels right.

 

[ofred]

Well, yesterday was a downer. Memphis defense was awful. Milwaukee 5* goes today. Also:

1* Miami -2.5 1Q Cappella out. But more important is that the Hawks could have that feeling that they can turn it on at any time during a game and get back in it or pull away. Their 2nd halves so far in the play-in seem to say that. The Hawks might also be a bit tired.

1* Milwaukee -6 1H (-117)

1.3* Phoenix -6 1H (-112)
1.5* Phoenix -9.5 (-118) Phoenix, even more than Milwaukee, has it all going for them. Great depth, intense defense, shooters, point guard, big man.... Pelicans also are coming off an emotional win, two play-in wins, and that can take a toll. Phoenix bench and role players are IMO the best in the NBA. They make a difference here and throughout the playoffs.

 

[indiana]

Fred.....good looking plays buddy.....BOL.....
will follow your lead......indy

 

[ofred]

4-1 yesterday and still lost a little due to the Bucks game. I guess I shouldn't be surprised as they started last year's playoffs playing mediocre.

1* Philly -7 (-112) Got this last night, but it looks good even at 7.5. Three Raptors likely missing from their rotation. Barnes especially will be missed. Trent a nice role guy.

1.2* Dallas +5.5 Also got this last night, but it's a good take at 5 too. Dallas in desperation mode at home vs. a Utah team that really struggled for much of the 2nd half this season. Doncic doubtful.

 

[ofred]

2* Golden State -7 Seems too obvious. Curry 2nd game back should play better. Warriors depth is good. At home. Great system that made Nugget defenders looked lost. But there's something about Denver that just looks wrong. Jokic one of the top 3 guys offensively in the league. On D, not so much. And Aaron Gordon is an enigma. Looks like an NBA stud, but plays like a rookie at times. Bad player for a #2. Cousins and the Nuggets can complain about the refs, but Green and Thompson went to the foul line once combined. I expect that Denver has one good quarter, one decent quarter, and otherwise, the Warriors have some big runs.

 

[Avocado33]

2* Golden State -7 Seems too obvious. Curry 2nd game back should play better. Warriors depth is good. At home. Great system that made Nugget defenders looked lost. But there's something about Denver that just looks wrong. Jokic one of the top 3 guys offensively in the league. On D, not so much. And Aaron Gordon is an enigma. Looks like an NBA stud, but plays like a rookie at times. Bad player for a #2. Cousins and the Nuggets can complain about the refs, but Green and Thompson went to the foul line once combined. I expect that Denver has one good quarter, one decent quarter, and otherwise, the Warriors have some big runs.

Agreed. Something is off about the lines for the games/whole series. Almost seems too easy


GL

 

[indiana]

Fred....BOL with your action tonight buddy.....
on Phil and G.St. with you.....may add Dal. ...indy